Find out how popular the last name Abaya is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Abaya.

Abaya, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Abaya surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Abaya in America

Abaya is the 40261st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Abaya surname appeared 544 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Abaya.

We can also compare 2010 data for Abaya to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Abaya

The surname Abaya originates from Spain, with roots dating back to the 8th century during the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. It is believed to be derived from the Arabic word 'abaya,' which refers to a loose, full-length robe worn by some Muslim women. This connection suggests that the name may have been initially associated with individuals who either produced or wore such garments.

Early records indicate that the Abaya surname appeared in various regions of Spain, including Andalusia, Valencia, and Catalonia. Several historical documents from the 11th and 12th centuries mention individuals bearing this name, though their specific roles or occupations remain unclear.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the Abaya surname can be found in the Repartimiento de Sevilla, a document detailing the distribution of land and properties in Seville after the Christian conquest in 1248. This record lists several individuals with the surname Abaya among the recipients of land grants.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, as Spain underwent the Reconquista and the expulsion of Muslims and Jews, many Abaya families converted to Christianity or migrated to other regions. Some may have settled in nearby areas like Portugal or North Africa, where variations of the surname, such as Abaia or Abaya, can still be found today.

Notable individuals with the Abaya surname throughout history include:

1. Rodrigo Abaya (c. 1450-1520), a Spanish merchant and landowner from Seville who played a significant role in the city's trade with the Americas.

2. Juana Abaya (c. 1520-1585), a renowned lace maker from Valencia whose intricate designs were sought after by nobility throughout Europe.

3. Pedro Abaya (c. 1625-1690), a Spanish theologian and author who wrote extensively on the relationship between Christianity and Islamic teachings.

4. María Abaya (c. 1740-1810), a philanthropist from Catalonia who established several schools and orphanages in her region.

5. Francisco Abaya (1812-1878), a Spanish military officer who served in the Carlist Wars and later became a prominent landowner in Andalusia.

While the Abaya surname may have evolved and spread across various regions over the centuries, its origins can be traced back to the rich cultural tapestry of medieval Spain, where it served as a reminder of the diverse influences that shaped the country's history.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Abaya

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Abaya.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Abaya was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Abaya has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Abaya was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Abaya, please contact us.

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